Explorations

This gallery highlights distinct scenes that exemplify a particular area or region, as well as uniquely interesting scenes I've encountered in my explorations.

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This fantastic roadside scene caught my attention while riding through the back country roads of Kentucky, en route to Mammoth National Park in the summertime.
Queen Anne's lace can be found abundantly in the midwest at this time of year. With this glorious display, nestled against the natural wood fence, open country field and treelined backdrop, I couldn't resist the sudden excitement & urge to stop the car, in order to admire & capture the captivating scene.
A bit of a humorous memory accompanies the story. My wife & stepson were along for the journey. After a while of my capturing the scene, he commented to her, "What is he doing?!?! Let's go!" - clearly not understanding my need to answer the call when God/Nature's beauty speaks to me.

Much of my work comes from stopping the car when passing a scene that fascinates me, often standing on a thin shoulder of road, with cars buzzing by, probably thinking I'm crazy!
This is one of those times, and one of the more memorable of them. A beautiful roadside scene in a tiny NH town, on the edge of the White Mountains.
I especially love creating art from these spontaneous, inspired moments of awe and fascination with every day scenes that are available to all of us, and are so often overlooked.

These beautiful creations were found on a rocky shoreline in Maine, at Owl's Head State Park. I came to see the lighthouse, and found myself spending most of my time admiring the fascinating and endless variety of cobblestone lining the beach. I imagine many people walk by, without taking the time to notice the intricate beauty Mother Nature provides us right under our feet. I had a fantastic time being In the Moment, Alone with the Cobblestone.

The 1,000 words of this image sum up how I feel about North Central New Mexico. They call NM the land of enchantment, and it is incredibly enchanting. In this moment, it was the "Land of Wow". Spent the day on a scenic drive through the Jemez Mtns. I was already in a state of heavenly bliss from the breathtaking, and diverse treasures found on this drive. One of the best in America. When I looked out to this scene, my heart skipped a beat, I stepped out of the vehicle, and exclaimed out loud: "WOW". I've attempted to convey the feeling in this capture, with fairly minimal post processing. This is the scene, as seen.

The coastal mist, which was invisible to the eye, allowed for these fascinating sun rays. I pulled off the road simply to stop and bask in an ocean view, atop the cliffs on the Oregon Coast. When I looked over and up, I was struck with awe and excitement from this unexpected, gloriously mystical scene.
We've all heard the phrase that it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. Something I truly connect with and try to live by, fully experiencing the ever present Now.
Had I been solely focused on the destination, which was the view of the ocean from the cliff tops, and not taken a few moments to experience my surroundings, I would have missed out entirely on this magnificent, mistical experience.

I believe in magic, and I believe in wonder. And I believe they can be experienced every day in the simplest of ways.
The smile of a stranger is magical. The light in another's eyes. The sun peeking through the clouds. The bountiful blooms of nature. Everywhere we go, and everywhere we look, we can experience a sense of magic and wonder.
Having been fortunate enough to experience the White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, this sense was on maximum overload. It's a true wonder of nature. The geological process of how these pristine, towering, awe inspiring white sand dunes formed is fascinating, as is the experiencing of them. Add in the surrounding New Mexico mountains and desert flora for an extra dash of mysticism.
Perhaps more than any other locale that I've experienced in my journeys, I was filled with an immensity of wonder, awe, and connection to something greater, and so much more powerful than myself. My spirit and soul was vibrating with excitement and aliveness, in this place of pure magic.

If you love mountains as much as I do, and especially if you love blue as much as I do, it doesn't get any better than the Blue Ridge Parkway. A 469 mile stretch through the Smokey Mountains in Virginia, and North Carolina. Along this stretch, are endless and breathtaking expanses, and vistas. Famed, and aptly named for the gorgeous blue ridges.
This was taken near Mount Mitchell, the highest peak in the Eastern U.S. I was lucky, on this day trip to Mt. Mitchell, to be treated to a fairly nice sunset, which allowed me to capture these gorgeous blue ridges in all of their majesty. I'm often asked if these are the REAL colors, and yes they absolutely are real, as the eye sees it, and as I usually aim for in my final product. Only minor enhancement to increase the vividness of the scene.

High up on the cliffs in Torrey Pines. I had to hike down the hill a little bit, and work my way through some shrubs to get this magnificent, unobstructed view. Just on the other side of the cliffs, to the right, is the famous PGA Torrey Pines golf course.
Southern California's coastal sunsets are often breathtaking & mesmerizing.
This one was actually quite muted compared to many.
Having ventured to the cliffs, I was hoping for one of those unforgettable sunset experiences, and while it didn't happen, I can't say I was disappointed! The pleasant, soft, cotton candy hues were quite pleasing.
I feel this piece exemplifies an important realization. We can always look for and find the beauty in life, even when there is a let down in our hopes or expectations.

Beauty & amazement can be found absolutely everywhere, and quite often, you just gotta look up. This is the Ponce De Leon lighthouse, the tallest in Florida, and 2nd tallest masonry lighthouse in America, with 203 steps. It's known for it's expansive view of the Florida coast, including Daytona Beach & Cape Canaveral. Frankly, I was much more mesmerized with this view, than the one at the top, as I was In the Moment, observing the beauty all around versus racing to the top.

They say this is possibly the most photographed light house in America. So naturally, I wanted to capture it in a way that would be a different perspective than countless others. The most fascinating aspect of this historic landmark, and of Maine in general, in my estimation, is the incredible craggy, rocky coast line.
Being a lover of geology, and these formations, I wanted it to be the feature of the image. To do this, I had to take a leap over a fence, and ignore a few signs telling me not to do so. I felt this was the best way for me to capture this iconic scene, and I couldn't possibly settle for less.
I've been told that the fence has since been removed.

I was particularly excited to visit Lover's Key Beach. Among the other highlights it offers, this was my first opportunity to witness, and photograph the phenomena of driftwood on the beach. This beauty, with it's distinct contour, lines and wood pecked holes, did not disappoint, and filled me with delight!

This sunrise in the Adirondack Mountains of New York filled me with an immense feeling of awe and gratitude for the beauty and majesty of Mother Nature, and life. Left the campsite extra early this morning, before sunrise, with no particular destination in mind. Stopped at this lake, just one of the 3,000 lakes and ponds in the Adirondacks, feeling it would be a wonderful place to watch the sun rise over the mountains.
I was already feeling an excitement and connection to the pristine beauty surrounding me, which was added to by this magnificent scene. The rising sun, clouds, calm waters, and silky, metallic reflection fulfilled my soul, and was quite the reward for a somewhat rare early morning rising.